President John Mahama has initiated consultations with the Council of State following three petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
This marks yet another instance of attempts to unseat Ghana’s top judicial officer, a trend that has emerged in recent years.
The petitions, whose details remain undisclosed, have been forwarded in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the process for the removal of a Chief Justice.
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed the development, signaling the beginning of what could be a lengthy constitutional process.
This is not the first time Chief Justice Torkornoo has faced a removal petition. Earlier this year, former President Akufo-Addo dismissed a similar petition filed by legal scholar Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, citing lack of merit.
That petition alleged misconduct and constitutional breaches, but after consulting the Council of State, Akufo-Addo found no prima facie case.
The pattern of petitions against sitting Chief Justices is reminiscent of past controversies within Ghana’s judiciary.
In 2015, then-Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood faced calls for removal amid concerns over judicial corruption scandals. However, she remained in office until her retirement in 2017.
Similarly, in 2019, Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo was accused of bias in handling high-profile political cases, though no formal petition led to her removal.
The recent petitions against Torkornoo suggest that such challenges to judicial leadership are becoming more frequent.
As per constitutional requirements, the Council of State will assess the merits of the petitions before advising the President on whether to proceed with an investigative committee.
If the process advances, a panel—comprising Supreme Court justices and independent members—will be formed to review the allegations and make recommendations.
For now, all eyes are on Mahama as he navigates a legal and political minefield. Will this petition gain traction, or will it meet the same fate as previous ones?
The coming weeks will determine whether Ghana’s judiciary is in for another shake-up—or just another chapter in an ongoing saga.